Electrochemical reduction of CO₂: A roadmap to formic and acetic acid synthesis for efficient hydrogen storage

Carbon-dioxide (CO₂) emissions present significant environmental challenges due to their role in the greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming, climate change, and adverse effects on air quality and ecosystems. Instead of merely mitigating their release, harnessing CO₂ for diverse energy applications across various sectors presents a promising avenue for addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable energy solutions. The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide CO₂ into value-added chemicals, such as formic and acetic acid, holds immense promise for mitigating carbon emissions while producing valuable goods. This review provides an in-depth analysis of (i) recent advancements, (ii) methodologies, and (iii) challenges in electrochemical CO₂ conversion into formic acid and acetic acid. The review scrutinizes diverse (i) electrocatalysis methods, (ii) reaction mechanisms, and (iii) operational parameters affecting the selectivity, efficiency, and stability of these processes. Additionally, it assesses the techno-economic feasibility and environmental implications of scaling up electrochemical CO₂ reduction technologies for industrial applications. Synthesizing insights from experimental studies and life cycle assessments, this review offers a comprehensive perspective on state-of-the-art approaches and future directions for harnessing electrochemical CO₂ reduction as a sustainable pathway toward carbon utilization and chemical synthesis. Moreover, serving as a roadmap for researchers, this review offers valuable insights and methodological guidelines to navigate the complexities of electroreduction processes for formic and acetic acid production from CO₂. Readers acquire a thorough grasp of the electroreduction process of CO₂ into formic and acetic acid, revealing its promise as a sustainable route for chemical synthesis.